While most of the people were busy talking about the sartorial sense of Bollywood actresses who went all dolled-up at the Cannes Film Festival 2017. There was something amiss our mentions. Among the on-point fashion game of our leading ladies, our Bollywood flicks failed to do wonders at Cannes this year. The only movie that saved our grace was Payal Kapadia’s Afternoon Clouds, which is one of the 16 contenders in the Cinefondation competition for film schools.
Last year was no different. There were no Indian films in the official selection last year as well.
But don’t lose heart. There are plenty of Indian films that managed to leave a mark on the prestigious film festival’s winner list. Here they are.
Fly Away Solo (Masaan, 2015)
Neeraj Ghaywan’s film became the first Indian film to win in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes 2015. It also secured a Fipresci Prize, bringing the good name to the industry. Those who have watched the film must know what a poetical journey it was. Grounded to the reality at every sequence, Masaan is more than just a film. It’s cinematic excellence.
Marana Simhasanam (1999)
This film narrates the story of a despairing Kerala villager who steals coconut to feed his family. His efforts to sustain a two-time meal for his family leads him to death sentence. The film makes use of minimal dialogues but conveys the powerful message of oppression and political manipulation in the right manner. It was honoured with the Camera dÓr at 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
Salaam Bombay! (1988)
Mira Nair’s first movie portrayed the lives of real children who spent their lives on the streets of Bombay. At very young age, the children learned to bear the brunt of poverty, prostitution and drugs. The film won the Camera dÓr and the Audience Award at the 1988 festival.
Kharij (1982)
Kharij, which was featured by the name ‘Case Is Closed’ is a melancholic drama that narrates the accidental death of an underage servant. This powerful film won the Special Jur y Prize at the 1983 festival.
Pather Panchali (1955)
Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali is the first film of Apu Trilogy. It is said to be the landmark of Indian cinema. It garnered the worldwide acclamation and won the Best Human Document in 1956. The simplistic-yet-real story of a young boy who lives with his family in rural Bengal.
Do Bhiga Zamin (1954)
Who doesn’t know this film? This film by Bimal Roy is a tale of a farmer and how he struggles to hold on to his land owing to an artificially-inflated debt. This respected movie was the first Indian film to be awarded the prestigious Prix Internationale at 1954 festival.
